In Hawaii, a Sanders Victory Among Long Lines, Waits

Despite support for Hillary Clinton among Hawaii's top elected officials, the state — which, according to the U.S. Census, is 38 percent Asian-American, 10 percent Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian, and approximately 31 percent Asian-American and Pacific Islander mixed with other races — swung for Bernie Sanders in Saturday's Democratic presidential caucus.

The Vermont Democrat won 70 percent of the vote compared to 30 percent for Hillary Clinton, according to NBC News. He is currently projected to win 18 delegates from the state compared to Clinton's 12.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, center, reacts to the long line as she waits with others to vote in the Democratic presidential caucus at a polling station at Kailua Intermediate School in Kailua, Hawaii, Saturday, March 26, 2016.Marco Garcia / AP

Saturday’s Sanders win came despite endorsements for Hillary Clinton from the state’s top Democratic leaders, including former governors George Ariyoshi, Ben Cayetano, and John Waihee, and current U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Bill Lui-Kwan, a Honolulu resident who described himself as semi-retired, showed up around noon — an hour early — to vote, but was waiting at the back of a long line at 2 p.m., nearly an hour after voting began.

Like many people throughout the Hawaiian islands, he was at a polling station that didn't have clear signs or directions about how to check in or where to stand in line.

"I'm just disappointed in the disorganization," Lui-Kwan told the Associated Press. "You should encourage people to come out and vote."

Voters line up outside a polling station set up at Kailua Intermediate School to register to vote in Hawaii's Democratic primary, Saturday, March 26, 2016, in Kailua, Hawaii.Marco Garcia / AP

Tim Zhu, another Honolulu voter, told the Associated Press that he was a Sanders supporter because of the senator's environmental record.

"He has the strongest position on climate change, that's one of the biggest concerns for me as an environmentalist," Zhu said. "He doesn't take money form big corporations, doesn't take money from fracking organizations, and I think he actually understands the urgency of climate change and is fighting for our future, not just for this generation, but future generations."